Roeliff Jansen Community Library will hold a workshop on dark skies led by DarkSky International member Susan Bachelder on Thursday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m., in person at the library.

Dark skies are not just important for seeing the stars, but for the health of our planet and ourselves. Light pollution threatens many animal species, from migrating birds to hatchling sea turtles. It also impacts human health as it disturbs our sleep patterns. Unnecessary lighting wastes money and energy and contributes to climate change. Join the library for a film screening and presentation and discussion with Susan Bachelder on the importance of dark skies and learn about a citizen science project to help measure and report light pollution in our area.

Susan P. Bachelder, a resident of Egremont, has been a member of DarkSky International for over a decade. She has posted a local STAR DATE blog for 15 years for her neighbors, encouraging star gazing using simple ID skills to identify stars and planets while explaining the underlying astronomical structures, both in contemporary and historical terms to underpin her observations. As a Classics major, her studies right now are in Persian star charts of the 1600’s.

After the program, check out the Roe Jan Library’s new Dark Sky Citizen Science kit created with funding from the Mid-Hudson chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, and become part of a collective effort to safeguard the beauty of the night sky for generations to come, promoting healthier ecosystems, and a more sustainable future for all.

This program is free and open to the public.

Roeliff Jansen Community Library, which is chartered to serve Ancram, Copake, and Hillsdale, is located at 9091 Route 22.